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Author
Topic: When did you test poz ? (Read 18991 times)

In light of the new Forum titled 'I just tested poz'. I thought it might be insightful to tell others when you first tested positive.

I tested positive in 1985 while living in Southern Calif. It is believed by my doctors that I seroconverted in 81 while living in NYC. As many folks here know that was when the seeming ' bomb' went off. I have the blessed miracle of being what is termed a long term non progressor.

We all have are own stories about our poz status. I'll look forward to hearing from other 'family' members about their journey.

tested poz in March 1987, then went into full-fledged 'denial' state of mind...until I could no longer avoid it, and received an AIDS diagnosis in Feb 1991 (MAC of the liver). Lost 35 pounds, and it NEVER came back in the 'right places' .

It all seems like a ghoulish nightmare now....it comes back to me sometimes, at the weirdest times, and something can trigger a memory so vivid it brings tears to my eyes. I have so much to be thankful for, there are no words for me to begin to tell you.

And emotional?? like a soap opera......I can cry over a photo, or even over a book cover....I guess 'coming back from the dark side' does that to you.

Thanks Paul, for jogging my foggy memory......

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"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

I got my positive results during the first week of August 1992....so I will be coming up on my 14th anniversary with HIV.

The earliest that I could have been infected was September 1991 as I had tested negative in December 1991 (I could have still been in the window period at that point...not sure though). I actually received those results on Christmas Eve, so the holidays were pretty fucking great that year!!!

I let 5 years pass without treatment. NOT RECOMMENDED - i.e. - Anyone not on meds reading this please realize not knowing your numbers/denial/living in a fantasy world are all very foolish things to do . Know your numbers as soon as you can and structure an action plan with your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider might recommend starting meds immediately OR recommend holding off on meds based on your CD4 count OR some other plan of action. Every body is unique and every case is different.

I was diagnosed at 20:33 hrs (8:33 pm) on May 3rd 2002 by my General Practitioner Lady Jane. It was a routine blood test that she performed because I'd reported risky sexual activities. I had 15 minutes of panic after which I pulled myself together and rang my drug dealer.

The next three months were a bit of a blur.

Since we're talking to the newly diagnosed, I'd have to say I disagree with Alex (allopathicholisitc) about HIV treatments. They're important and need to be taken, but you don't have to rush in too quickly. They can be toxic and hard to take. You have to be prepared to take them properly. Most importantly, don't feel pushed or harrassed into doing something you're not ready to.

I tested positive on August 24, 2005 -- could possibly be almost a year already -- what a roller coaster it's been!!!???. Not sure when the virus found me, but my last negative test was April 2001, when I applied for life insurance (making sure THAT bill gets paid first each month now.......)

Hello Paul, it is Eldon. I first tested positive in August of 1990. I can't forget that day when I was standing in the parking lot of my job when the guy....Steve from the Health Insurance Company told me point blank, flat out that I was HIV positive!

I immediately went into denial and said ther must be some mistake (as I had only one lover for (5) five years at the time), and I requested to be re-tested and the results had come back positive.The good news then was that they would still insure me only to find out a few years later Blue Cross/Blue Sheild dropped me because the premium was so high and I couldn't afford it.

I did not go on meds immediately and I went on and lived my life. Recently, in Feb 2006 I went on meds as prescribed by my Doctor to supress the virus.

January '94.It was no surprise, but it still took my breath away.I can remember the week in '81 that I was so sick with the strangest mix of symptoms, and I lived in fear of the test for the next 13 years. After the initial shock of the immediate AIDS diagnosis, I felt an enormous sense of relief. Who knew it would be easier to know, regardless of the prognosis at the time, than to live in constant fear of the unknown?

Ive posted my story a few times, so without getting to deep into it.....

i was diagnosed positive on valentines day of 05, while waiting on the confirmatory tests i was hospitalized at deaths door, late stages of aids, OI's in full swing,etc That was the first day of a new life, a life everyone said i wouldnt have....

I was Diagnosed in September 2005, and my partner, October 2005.. I started on ARV's 6 months ago. I am now coming up on 365 days of perpetual thinking about HIV/AIDS. I have every hope to cut the thinking in half in year 2.

I tested positive, around October 24th of 1985. Was infected around the 4th of July in 1985. Still have the original paper work from the Pinellas County health department on this. I guess some things I never threw away. Because I was never ill, I tested again at least 3 more times through the next 15 years, two more times at the Pinellas county health dpartment (north) and once in St. Petersburg. Always positive positive test results...

6/22/97.I had done a bloodtest because I was tired. I had asked to look for metals such as lead, living in Bangkok with it's pollution.No said the dr. No metals. But you are hiv positive. (Hadn't asked for that test, serious case of denial, I think )

I called my two boyfriends at the time, one chose to get tested ; negative, the other didn't. I didn't practise unsafe sex but with the guy from whom I acquired the virus. He has passed away in 1995. He was a wonderful guy.I remember how I got infected, not using condoms during this torrid affair in 1992.I think my bf's wanted to stay with me, but I got in a very agressive survival mode (or was it self hate ) and within 2 years both were out of the picture.

I also got diagnosed as chronically depressed, actually that was a relief, I was able to name my demon. The depression is genetic (grandmother, father, sister) but also traumatic, since I was abused sexually and physically as a child, sometimes over a period of years. I remember 3 abusers and 5 molesters. I also started to adress that issue from 1997 on but slowly, and more thoroughly since August 2005. These things take time. I tell this here because in my case one lead to the other. The trifecta sexual abuse-depression-hiv contamination might deserve more research.

I feel I'm still isolated now but have started to reach out. January 8, 2006 : aidsmeds, Siang, Herman, Eirin. Also Ann, Andy and Aztecan have meant so much.As for meds I jumped right into that as my cd4 s were low 200's and VL 500,000 and the dr. advised I get on them. 1997 was also the 1st year meds became re imbursed by social security in my country.

I find out late march 2006....now on meds and waiting for my first results after meds(august 9th) can't wait....I still remember calling Leo....my new 2 weeks boyfriend at that time...."everything will be OK...I loved u he said and I wanna be with u"...That was the last time I saw him. Edwin my ex by then...was the only one who really support me and was there for me(he is HIVneg and didn't care)...he said was his chance to show me he loved me so much so after 2 months of dealing with waiting rooms..lab test, med side effects and crying rivers ..we got back together...what a story huh Leo was ur lost,,,but I understood ur reasons. God bless u.

2002 or 2003, I can't remember now, I am sure it's in my medical notes. I was not at all cut up about the news. It went back to work. I had to see the health adviser first though, who was good, but it was a little inconvenient time-wise cos I had an important meeting to make. Later I went home and told my partner and we immediately had the most amazing sex. No condoms. Magic. 3 weeks later we compared genotypes. The same virus as far as we could tell. He had been HIV-positive since he was 16.

Little did I know the big v was working its attack behind the scenes. Had a major collapse in 2002 with a viral load above 500,000. The little bugger had been spreading and eating white matter from my brain and spine too, causing me to progressively lose fine motor skills, balance, even clear speech toward the end. I was going into a mental fog as well.

Iíve been taking Kaletra/Combivir since then, and initially Septra too till I got my CD4s up enough to be out of danger of developing PCP pneumonia.

July 17th, 1987My GP and collegefriend called me and bluntly announced : there is a new disease out, AIDS, and you've got it.

Infection must have taken place early 80's in the States.

My naturopath adviced me not to take meds, so until 1995 I lived, worked and loved as if there was no HIV.Then suddenly Apocalypse struck. PCP , CD4 count of 17, viral load of over 1.000.000 and total loss of energy.I had to stop my job as flightattendant and came back from the other side.Started meds, got all sort of side effects but finally resurfaced one year later.Started to work in the fitness world.Since April 2000 my husband and I run our own fitness/wellness/saunacenter.

We are in the final salesprocess of it now.A new life is waiting for me.

At almost 51 I spent half my life with HIV. And I still learn new things everyday and plan my future.

Good luck to all of you and for the newbies....yes, there is a life after an HIV diagnosis.Keep a close look at it and you will see many new roads in your life, some hard and bumpy and challenging, but some emotionally forfilling at a level most people will never ever reach.

Love

hermie

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Diagnosed in 1987 and still kickingKivexa (Epzicom),Tivicay once daily

We have all been through a myriad of experiences and come out as strong, kind and caring people. My personal joy in being here at AM is that we are one big global family who share a challenging diagnosis. I'm looking forward to reading more accounts of how we cope, survive and about our inner strengths.

I tested poz in November 1989. I tested the very next day after burying my husband who died of AIDS on October 28, 1989.

From the moment of my results I went into denial and chose not to seek medical attention until I got sick -- and that took 11 years to come... I was diagnosed with AIDS in April 2000 (cd4 - 187 and VL at 57,000 or 27,000 not sure, some of my medical records are missing,) at which time I started HAART. Today, my cd4 is 918 (51%) and VL is undetectable. The meds are doing there magic... thank goodness.

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"People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is buit." Eleanor Roosevelt

I was notified on the telephone from a potential employer(Lufthansa) that I would no longer be able to go to the flight attendant training program due to a positive hiv test. The flight doctor then urged me to seek immediate medical help. This was 27th Of Aug 2001. About two weeks later I broke up with my boyfriend of 5 years. Then the 11th of September...... man talk about 2 falling towers, those were mine.

I tested positive October of 1990 about a week before my birthday I didn't actually begin any treatment for 10 years. This was only because of my lifestyle.NOT RECOMMENDED!!I was extremely ill when I finally began taking meds.Really low CD4 count and a very high Viral Load. I was unable to even realize how sick I was feeling because of the drinking and drugs.I thank God that part of my life is OVER!I began taking meds 6 years ago and I feel great!Of course the change in lifestyle also helped tremendously!

I was infected on August 21, 2005, around 3 a.m. Later that morning, freaking out a little, I thought of PEP; the guy I'd slept with assured me that he'd tested negative six weeks ago and that he was "clean." (Hate that use of the word.) He may not have been lying; it's entirely possible that he had seroconverted very recently.

Twenty-seven days later (September 16) I convinced the PA at the clinic to order a DNA Qualitative PCR, depite knowing the drawbacks of this test as a diagnostic tool; result came back positive on September 26.

For various reasons, I didn't get confirmatory antibody tests until January; EIA and WB positive on January 9.

First set of numbers, six months after infection (March 1 2006): CD4 757, 38%, VL 70 copies. Will get the second set of numbers (the results) tomorrow. Not on meds at present.

Jay

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Her finely-touched spirit had still its fine issues, though they were not widely visible. Her full nature, like that river of which Cyrus broke the strength, spent itself in channels which had no great name on the earth. But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.

One morning in June of 1992, I woke up after having dreamed that I was HIV+. The local Health Department's initial Elisha test came back 'indeterminate'. (I was sero-converting at that moment). A long month later, the State Lab confirmed my status with the Western Blot, on July 13th.

I just passed my 14 anniversary date, confounding the Public Health Nurse who had stared into my eyes as she stated: "You know you are going to die from AIDS, don't you?"

I did not believe her then, and I still don't.

There is life after diagnosis, folks, despite mis-information and fear. Education is the key, and support through venues like our 'cyber family' here is priceless.

November 2005 for me, exposed in July of the same year. Picked up Syphilis at the same time which I found the most uncomfortable aspect of the whole thing. Didnt really have any sero-conversion illness apart from a few swollen glands in my groin but not sure if that was the syphilis as well. Tested neg initially in August but then positive in November I went for a checkup.

I tested in April of this year,but I suspected i was in november.Im not on meds yet and im waiting for my second test after getting my baseline results.I never thought i would catch hiv until I found out the guy i had sex with three times had aids,and tb. :I thought it was cute how skinny he was at the time.

Without wanting to sound proscriptive, I think it better not to lecture our newly diagnosed family members on when or when not to start treatments. It's a very personal thing and no-one should feel pressured either way. It would be better just to talk about our diagnoses and the things that came after.

Really I think it better not express a firm view on starting or not starting treatments in this thread. Let's allow each poz bod to raise that issue in her (or his) own way.

Her finely-touched spirit had still its fine issues, though they were not widely visible. Her full nature, like that river of which Cyrus broke the strength, spent itself in channels which had no great name on the earth. But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.

"Life in Lubbock, Texas, taught me two things: One is that God loves you and you're going to burn in hell. The other is that sex is the most awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love." - Butch Hancock, Musician, The Flatlanders

God that was a horrible day. Even though it didn't come as a TOTAL shock, I didn't want to "know"...ya know. I was kind of forced out of a state of denial.

At the end of the day, though, I'm glad I got the test done. Now I can take care of myself the way I need to. And just look at all of these fabulous people that have come into my life (everyone grab a mirror...yep, that's who I meant).

i tested poz when i was 16y/o. back in april 2000.. i had my first gay experience not too long ago, maybe around december. and the guy fucked me without a condom and came inside. we've been dating casually for a few months, and my friend suggests i get tested... bingo!

October 19, 2003. My doctor called me on my mobile phone; I was pulling into the garage at work. The next few minutes are a total blank. I remember finding myself on the top floor of the garage, not sure whether I should park. My doc asked me to come into his office, his schedule was packed but said that he really wanted to see me. I immediately called my ex. When I got to my doctorís office, he gave me a big hug and said that he was going to take care of me. I burst into tears. He had the nurse draw lots of blood. He did his best to tell me that HIV is not necessarily fatal, that it is much more of a chronic, manageable disease than it was before. He must have hugged me 12 times.

When all of the blood work came back, my ex (who is my best friend) and I went to see my doc. He spent the entire afternoon with us, explaining how the virus works, the immune system, the particular strain I have, medication options, research, etc. Usually it takes a few weeks to get an appointment with him and he gave me an entire afternoon. God bless him.

From the dates of my previous negative tests and my sexual history, we determined that I was infected in mid August 2003. I had unsafe sex three times that summer. Two of my partners are still HIV- to this day. One I have not spoken to since we slept together. I know he infected me. I got confirmation of this when I picked up my first Kaletra prescription and remembered seeing that same bottle on the counter in his hotel bathroom.